Apparatus for tipping metal bases with metal tips



im. 1% w43, o. .Immer-:SEN 2,308,555

PPRATUS FOR TIPPNG METAL BASES 'WTH 'METAL TIPS Filed Maron :51, 19m. 5 sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR. W 7a/0 UMa/1712562?? A LWWM-dd?, M

@iff S Jan. 19, 1943. o. JENDRESEN y 2,308,658

APPARATUS FOR TIPPTNG METAL BASES wITE METAL TIPS Filed March (5l, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ggf 12a Jan. 19, 1943. o. JENDRESEN 2,308,658

vAPPARATUS FOR TIPPING METAL BASES WITH METAL TIPS Jan. 19, 1943. o. JENDREsl-:N

APPARATUS FOR TIPPING METAL BASES WITH METAL TIPS' 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 31, 1341 I N VENTOR Jan. 19, 1943. Q JENDESEN 2,308,658

APARATUS FOR TIPPING METAL BASES WITH METAL TIPS Filed Maron 31, i941 5 sheetsheet 5 Patented Jan. 19, 1943 APPARATUS FOB TIPPING METAL BASES WITH METAL TIPS Otto Jendresen, Milton, Wis., assigner to The Parker Pen Company, Janesville, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin application Maren s1, 194i. serai No. 386,095

(ci. 21a-.4)

sz clanna The present invention relates to apparatus for tipping metal bases with metal tips and, more particularly, to improvements in apparatus for welding precious metal tips to pen nibs.

It is an object o! the present invention to provide improved tipping apparatus of the character described, which is easy to operate, is simple in arrangement and is positive and reliable in its operation to produce tipped bases which are uniformly free from defects in the fused metal connections between the tips and bases thereof.

It is a further object of the invention to provide improved apparatus of the character described wherein simple provisions are made for minimizing breakage or bending of the parts of the apparatus due to careless handling of the apparatus.

It is another object of the invention to provide improved apparatus of the character described which may readily be adapted for use in tipping nibs or bases of different sizes with but a few readily accomplished changes in the holder which is provided to receive the nibs or bases and to move each received nib to engage a tip held by an associated stationary tip holder.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved tipping apparatus in which all operations, aside from that of feeding the nibs to the nib holder, are accomplished automatically.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved and exceedingly simple device for automatically feeding tipping material to the tip holder of the apparatus in timed relationship with the movement of the base holder.

It is another object of the invention to provide improved tipping apparatus of the character described which is so arranged that the welding circuit is controlled in timed relationship with the movement of the base holder between its loading and tipping positions to measure welding intervals which are of fixed and uniform duration, regardless of the tipping speed at which the apparatus is operated.

In accordance with another object of the invention, an improved arrangement is providedwhereby the synchronous relationship between the welding intervals and the movement of the base holder is automatically maintained as the tipping speed of the apparatus is varied or changed.

It is another object of the invention to provide improved tipping apparatus of the character described which is so arranged that a base held by the base holder is automatically released and ejected as the base holder is moved to its loading position.

A further and more speciiic object of the invention is to provide an improved pen nib holder of simple arrangement which may readily be adapted to receive and positively hold nibs of different sizes, and which is equipped automatically to eject a nib held therein.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved mechanism for positively and continuously operating the base or nib holder between its loading and tipping positions without substantial shock to any of the engaged or engaging parts of the mechanism and with the requisite pauses at the loading and tipping positions of the holder.

In accordance with a still further object of the invention an improved operating mechanism is provided which is so arranged that the nib or base holder is moved along a curvilinear path which merges into an exact straight line path as the holder is operated from its loading position to its tipping position, whereby the loading of the holder is facilitated and exact alignment of the nib point and a tip held in the tip holder is obtained during the final movement of the holder toward its tipping position.

The novel features believed to be characteristie of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention,

both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l is a view illustrating in partially schematic form the mechanical arrangement and circuit wiring of improved tipping apparatus embodying the features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the tipping machine schematically illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side sectional view, taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, which illustrates the machine with the nib holder thereof in its tipping position;

Fig. 3A illustrates a slightly modified arrangement of the nib holder and carriage therefor;

Fig. 4 is a side sectional view illustrating the 'machine with the nib holder in its raised or loading position:

Fig. 5 is a front view of the machine;

Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are sectional views illustrating the details of the nib holder;

Fig. 9 is an exploded view illustrating the nib holder assembly;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along the lines Iii-I of the mechanism as shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary detail view of the base of the machine; and

Fig. 12 illustrates certain details of the connection through which the tip feeding device is operated.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Fig. 1 thereof, the improved tipping apparatus there illustrated comprises a tipping machine I0 which is provided with a `stationary tip holder II and a movable nib or base holder I2. The base holder I2 is arranged to be operated by a driving motor I3 through a driving conneet-ion which includes a shaft I4, chain sprockets I5 and I 8, interconnected by an endless chain I1, and a pair of meshing gears I8 and I9. Freierably, the motor I3 is of the adjustable speed type, so that the tipping speed at which the machine I0 is operated may be varied at will by an operator. This may be accomplished by providing an adjustable speed changing device, not shown, in series with the circuit breaker 8 in the input circuit of the motor. For the purpose of passing current through an engaged nib and tip held by the holders I2 and II, respectively, to produce a fused metal connection therebetween, a Welding circuit is provided which includes a six volt, direct-current welding generator 20 and the contacts 2I of an electro-magnetically controlled contactor 22. The contactor 22 is operated in timed relationship with the movement of the nib holder i2 through the provision of a control circuit which includes the 'contacts 23 of a carriage actuated switch 24, and the contacts 25 of a slowto-release relay 26. The relay 28 is energized in timed relationship with the movement of the nib holder I2 by an impulsing device which includes a three electrode gaseous discharge tube I, a second control relay 29 and two sets of contacts 21a and 21h which are actuated by a pulsing cam 28. The cam 28 is arranged to be driven from the driving gear I9 through a gear 30 which is of the same size as the gear I8. The control grid of the tube I is normally biased negatively substantially beyond the space current cut-oil point by means of a battery 1 which is bridged across the input electrodes of the tube in series with a resistor 3. In order to impress an ionizing voltage across the input electrodes of the tube I, thereby to render the tube conductive, a source of direct current 2 of correct voltage is provided. A second source of direct current 5 is provided in the output circuit of the tube I in series with a current limiting resistor 4 and the winding of the relay nected to the terminals 34 and 35, and the relay t 25 and its associated control equipment are omitted from the apparatus.

Briefly described, and as best shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings, the tipping machine I0 comprises a base 38 having around its outer edge a downwardly extending portion 31, the bottom surface of which is adapted to rest upon a table or bench, and the upper side of which is recessed to provide a trough 38 for catching waste material. The front side of the base Portion 81 is interrupted. as shown in Fig. 11, to provide an opening 39 into which a shallow drawer 40 may be inserted. The front of the top wall of the base 35 is cut back along the opening I5 so that tipped nibs ejected from the holder I2 are dropped into the drawer 40.

I'he base 38 carries a frame 4I which supports the maior portion of the moving parts of the machine. More speciiically, the frame 4| is provided with upwardly extending side members 42 and 43 and rearwardly extending shaft supporting members 44 and 45. The frame 4I also includes a top member 45 which extends between and is set back from the front wall of the side members 42 and 43.

The base member 88 also carries the tip holder Il. More specifically, the tip holder assembly comprises a base 41, a tip holding anvil 48, a pair of guide plates 49a, a slide plate 41a, and a fibre cover plate 49. The lower edges of the holder base 41 are ared to mate with the tapered edges of adjustable locking plates 58 and 5I which are clamped to the base 38 by means of assembly screws 52. Preferably, the assembly plates 5I are eccentrically mounted in order to permit slight lateral adjustment of the tip holder assembly across the front of the base member 38. The cylindrical anvil 48 extends through an opening provided in the holder base Il and registers with an enlarged opening in the machine base member 36 through which it may be removed. At its upper end the anvil 48 is provided with a recess 53 which constitutes` a tip receiving pocket. A chamber 54 is provided around the upper end of the anvil 48, into which hydrogen may be introduced through any suitable inlet conduit, not shown, during the operation of the machine. The slide plate 41a is secured in a shallow channel milled in the upper side of the base member 41, and 'the right end thereof abuts the side of the anvil 48. The upper surfaces of the plate 41a and the anvil 48 are substantially flush so that an unbroken surface is presented over which the pellets may be slid into the pocket 53. The base member II also supports a tip hopper 55, having a discharge opening 55 in the lower wall thereof, and a tip feeding device which comprises a slide 51 and an actuating plunger 58. More specifically, a centrally disposed, longitudinally extending channel is provided in the upper wall of the base member II which receives the slide 51. This member is also provided with a rearwardly extending portion 58 which is channeled to receive the operating plunger 58, the two elements 51 and 58 being secured together by means of a pin 80. In order to convey tips from the discharge opening 58 of the `hopper 55 to the receiving pocket 53 of the anvil 48, the slide 51 is provided with a conveying pocket 8| which alternately registers with the opening 55 and the pocket 53 during the operation of the machine. The two elements 51 and 58 of the feed mechanism are held in assembled relationship by means of the guide plates 49a which are secured to the base 41 by assembly screws. The cover plate 49 and the guide plates 49a are provided with oppositely disposed inwardly tapered edges which coact with the fiared bottom of the hopper 55 to provide a guideway for lateral movement of the hopper and to provide a means for securing the hopper to the top of the base 41. The assembly plate 49 is also provided with a nared opening 83 which registers with the upper end of the anvil 48 and through which the point of a nib held by thenib holder I2 may be moved to engage a tip held by the tip receiving pocket ,88. This cover plate is formed of insulating material to prevent possible shocks to the operator handling the machine. The ilared opening through this plate is of such size as to concentrate the hydrogen stream in the welding so'ne. By substituting slide plates 41a and slides-81o! different thicknesses and properly adjusting the height of the anvil 48 as each change is made the feeding device Just described may be adapted to con. vey pellets of different sizes from the pellet hop per to the receiving pocket of the anvil. For example, an exceedingly thin slide 81 and a relatively thick slide plate 41a are used in feeding pellets of .026 inch diameter to the receiving pocket of the anvil. On the other hand, a relatively thick slide 61 and a relatively thin slide plate 41a are used in feeding pellets of .052 inch diameter to the receiving pocket of the anvil.

The frame 4| of the machine supports, for rcciprocating movement in a vertical direction, a carriage 84 upon which the nib holder I2 is supported. More specifically, the nib holder I2 is slidably supported in the barrel 85 of a retaining head 68 which is mounted for pivotal movement with a spindle 81 between the side iianges 88a and 88h of a carriage member 88. As best shown in Fig. 10 of the drawings, the carriage member 88 is mounted upon a slide 88 by means of assembly screws 10 and is insulated therefrom through the provision of a sheet of insulating material 1|, fiber sleeves 12 which surround the assembly screws 10, and insulating washer 13 which separate the screw heads from the slide. The edges of the slide 69 are ilared to form guides which mate with the tapered guideways 14a and 14h milled in the oppositely disposed inner walls of the frame members 42 and 43. The inner wall of the slide 69 is provided with a channel 15 for receiving a rack 16 which is mounted upon the slide 69 by means of assembly screws 11. From the above explanation it will be understood that the carriage member 68 and the head 88 are mounted for reciprocating movement with the slide 69 and are insulated from the frame and base by means of the insulating sheet 1|, the insulating sleeves 12 and the insulating washers 13.

For the purpose of imparting reciprocating movement t the carriage 64, in response to rotation of the drive shaft |4, a driving connection is provided therebetween which includes a cam 18 mounted for clockwise rotation with the shaft I4, and a reciprocating lever 19. The lever 18 is mounted for rotation about a stub shaft 80, the two ends of which are supported in openings provided in the rearwardly extending frame members 44 and 45. These frame members 44 and 45 are also provided with bearings 8| and 82 in which the drive shaft I4 is journaled. The chain sprocket I is rigidly mounted upon the end of the main shaft |4.

The lever 19 carries at one end thereof a cam roller 85 which is mounted for rotation with a pin 86 journaled in bearings provided in the forked ends 18a and 18h of the lever. Reciprocating movement of the slide 51 between its loading and discharge positions is imparted thereto through the provision of a connection 81, one end of which is secured between the ends 19a and 19h of the lever 19 by means of a pin 88, and the other endl of which extends between the guide plates 48a and between the forked ends of the operating plunger 58. As best shown in Fig. 12 of the drawings, the drive connection 81 comprises two interutting parts 81a and 81h with a coil spring` 81e providing a yielding connection therebetween. More speciiically, the adjacent ends of the two parts 81a and 81h are bored out to'receive the coil spring 81e which is held under compressive tension by means of a pin and slot connection between the two parts. This pin and slot connection comprises a pair of pins 81d which are secured to the walls of the part 81h on opposite sides thereof and extend through slots 81e cut longitudinally along opposite sides of the walls deiinlng the bore hole of the part 81a. The part 81h is connected to the operating plunger 58 by means of a pin 88 which extends through registering openings provided in the forked ends of the plunger 58 and the lower end of the part 81h.

The opposite end of the lever 18 is inthe form of a gear sector 90 having teeth which mesh with the teeth of the rack 18 so that up and down reciprocating movement is imparted to the carriage 84 as the lever 18 is rocked about the shaft 80 through rotation of the cam 18. In order to rotate the head 88 relative to the carriage 28 so that the nib holder I2 is tilted outward as it is op erated from its tipping position to its loading position, the head 88 is provided with an arm 8| which carries a roller 82 arranged to coact with a spring cushioned stop assembly 88. cifically, the arm 8| is mounted upon the head 88 by means of assembly screws 84, and the roller f 82-is rotatable on a pin 85 having ends journaled in the forked ends of the arm 9I. The cushioned stop assembly 83 is supported by the cross member 48 of the frame 4I. Briefly described, this assembly comprises an elongated screw 98 having its head secured between a bearing plate 91 and K an assembly plate 98 and its'shank extending through an enlarged opening drilled vertically through the cross member 48, and a registering opening provided in a top assembly plate 98. The roller bearing plate 91 is formed of fiber or other insulating material in order to insulate the head 66 and the holder I2 from the frame 4|. The top plate 98 is secured to the cross member 48 by means of assembly screws |00. In order to bias the bearing plate 81 toward its downward position, a spiral spring |0| is provided which is telescoped over the screw 88 and lies within the side walls of a sleeve |02. One end of the biasing spring 83 abuts the under side of the assembly plate 89 and the opposite end thereof abuts the flanged end of the sleeve |02. This sleeve is journaled for sliding movement in the opening provided in the cross member 46. For the purpose of limiting the downward movement of the bearing plate 91, stop nuts |03 are provided which are adjustable along the threaded shank of the screw 86 to any desired position.

Clockwise rotation of the head 66 relative to the carriage member 68 during movement of the nib holder I2 from its loading position to its tipping position is limited by an adjustable stop screw |04 which is threaded into a tapped drill hole |05 provided in the carriage member 88. Downward movement of the nib holder I2 through the barrel 85 of the retaining head 68, after the holder is lowered to bring the point of a nib held thereby into engagement with a tip held by the tip holder II and during a welding operation, is limited through the provision of a stop assembly which comprises a collar |06 suitably mounted upon the upper end of the holder I2 and having threaded therethrough an adjustable micrometer screw |01, the lower end of which bears against the upper surface of the head 88. The collar More spe- IIII also carries a copper pin I I, the lower end of which extends within and is displaced from the walls of a mercury receiving cup IUS. The purpose of providing the mercury iilled cup III! and the contacting pin |08 is to ensure an unbroken electrical connection between Vthe nib holder |2 and the head 6B, thereby to prevent sparking between the engaged surfaces of these two elements. An additional stop assembly is provided for operating the nib holder I2 automatically to eject a nib held therein as the nib holder is moved to its loading position. This assembly comprises a U- shaped bracket I I|| having legs which straddle the head 65 and which are secured to the carriage member 68 by means of assembly screws III. The base of this U-shaped member |I0 is angularly disposed to lie in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the holder when the holder occupies its loading position, and is provided with a centrally disposed tapped opening which is adapted to receive the threaded shank of an adjustable micrometer screw II2. In order to ensure positive rotation of the head 66 relative to the carriage member 68 during downward movement of the carriage 64, an elastic band II3 is provided which encircles the shank of the micrometer screw I I2 and the shank of a screw I I4 which is threaded into the collar I 0B.

As an alternative to the arrangement of the carriage assembly illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings, that shown in Fig. 3A may be used. In this alternative arrangement the nib holder assembly is biased normally to maintain the stop screw IO'I in engagement with the upper surface of the head SI5 by means of a coil spring II3a.

This spring is anchored at its lower end to a screw ||3b which is threaded into a tapped opening provided in the front wall of the head 55. At its upper end, the spring |I3a is secured to the head of a screw ||3c which extends through a hole drilled through the collar |08 and is held in place by a pair of nuts I i3d. It will be understood that by adjusting the nuts II3d along the shank of the screw I I3c, the biasing force exerted on the nib holder assembly may be adjusted as desired. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 3A, the micrometer screw |01 is threaded through the collar |06 at a point about half way between the front and back of the collar in order to provide adequate space for securing the screw II3c to the collar. A coil spring I||4a is also provided in the Fig. 3A arrangement for biasing the head 66 toward the carriage member 68. 'I'his spring is anchored at its opposite ends to lugs IMb and |040 which are respectively carried by the carriage member 68 and the head 86. The modified arrangement just described and shown in Fig. 3A is quite desirable when the machine is to be operated at high speeds, since the action of the springs I|3a and |04a insures positive relative movement between the parts of the carriage 64 at the proper points in the operation of the machine. Moreover, the action of the spring |0411 serves to minimize any tendency of the head to bounce when it is rotated to engage the stop` screw |04.

The machine also includes a combination switch actuating and stop assembly II5 which is iixedly mounted upon the upper end of the slide 69 in any suitable manner. This assembly includes a spacing block IIB and a laterally extending arm IIB. The arm IIB is provided with spaced-apart drill holes which are tapped to receive a pair of adjustable micrometer screws II! and |2|i. The micrometer screw IIS coacts with the operating plunger 24a of the switch 24 tov 34 is brought to rest during its downward movement.

As best shown in Figs. 6, '1, 8 and 9 of the drawings, the nib holder I2 comprises a sleeve |2I, a stationary jaw |22, a movable jaw |23, a nib shoe |24, a nib eiecting nnger |25, and a spiral spring |28 for biasing the jaws |22 and |22 to grip a nib 9 inserted therebetween. More specifically, the sleeve |2| is telescoped within the barrel Il of the head El in tight-fitting relationship therewith, and is provided with a channel I2Ia in the outer side wall thereof, within which the movable jaw I 23 is free to operate. The upper end of this channel registers with an enlarged opening |21 provided in the barrel l5 of the head 8l, and these registering openings are disposed to receive the end of the micrometer screw-I I2 when the holder I2 is operated to its loading position. The biasing spring |23 is interposed between the upper or operating end of the movable jaw |23 and the adjacent portion of the other jaw |22, opposite ends of this spring being disposed in recesses I2Ia and I23b formed in the jaws |22 and |23, respectively. 'I'he upper end of the jaw |22 is drilled out to provide a shot receiving pocket I22a, and the lower end thereof is provided with a channel I2! to receive the rectangular-shaped movable jaw |23 and with a cut-away portion |29 for receiving the nib shoe |24. A key and slot connection is provided between the nib shoe |24 and the jaw |22 in order to accurately position the shoe on this jaw. The movable jaw I 23 is pivotally mounted within the channel |28 of the stationary jaw |22 by means of a pivot pin |35 which extends through the walls defining the channel. The stationary jaw |22 is further channeled to receive the base portion of the ejecting finger |25 which is formed of iat stock. The enlarged upper end of this finger extends within an elongated slot |3| cut through the movable jaw |23, and is provided with an inclined slot |32. The sides of this inclined slot form camming surfaces which coact with a roller |33 mounted within the slot I3I of the jaw |23, to reciprocate the finger |25 between its ejecting and loading positions in response to relative movement between the two jaws.

As indicated above, the nib shoe |24 is disposed within the cut-away portion |29 of the stationary jaw |22. This shoe is secured to the stationary jaw 22 by means of an assembly screw |34 and is provided with a nib receiving channel |35 which is tapered and shaped to conform to the configuration of the base of a pen nib of a specific size. The ejecting finger |25 is cut away at |36 so that the lower portion thereof may overlie the base of a nib inserted in the nib receiving channel |35 oi' the shoe |24. The upper edge of this cut-away portion of the finger |25 is V-shaped and is arranged to be projected into a slot I 31 cut into the nib shoe |24 at a point along the upper edge thereof.

In operating the nib tipping apparatus described above, the hopper 55 is first filled with tipping material. This material is preferably sintered osmiridium which is crushed and compressed into pellets of such size that each pellet may be used for tipping one pen nib. I1' desired.

the nib holder I2 may be loaded before operation oi the apparatus Is initiated. To this endI the operator inserts the base of a nib between the jaws |22 and I23 of the nib holder where it is held in the channel |35 of the nib shoe |24.

Before the operation of the apparatus is started i the hydrogen inlet valve, not shown, is operated to pass hydrogen into the chamber 64 of the tip holder II. The hydrogen, which envelopes the engaged tip and nib during each welding operation, precludes the formation of oxidation products which may lead to a defective union between the engaged tip and nib. The operation of the apparatus is initiated by actuating the switch B to close the input circuit to the driving motor I3. With this motor operating, rotary movement is imparted to 'the cam .18 through the meshing gears i9 and I8, the gear sprocket i6, the chain il, the gear sprocket I6 and the shaft I4, the direction of movement of this shaft being such `that the cam 18 is rotated in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figs. l, 3 and 4 of the drawings. Rotary movement is also imparted to the pulsing cam 28 through the meshing gears I9 and 3U.

Each time the cam 28 is operated to bring the lobe thereof into engagement with the cam-follower portion of the upper contact spring 2lb an obvious circuit is completed for energizing the relay 29. This relay, in operating, locks up in a circuit including its contacts 28h and the contacts 26h, and closes its contacts 29a to prepare the input circuit to the tube I. Thereafter, the springs 2lb are opened to interrupt `the operating circuit for the relay 29, but this relay remains energized in its locking circuit. As the cam 28 continues to rotate, the lobe thereof momentarily closes the contact springs 21a. This occurs an instant after the nib holder I2 is lowered to its tipping position during each cycle of operation of the machine. When the contact springs fila are moved into engagement, the voltage of the source 2 is positively applied to the control grid of the tube I across the resistor 3 to lower the negative potential of this grid. The tube I now fires or becomes ionized .to permit space current flow therethrough. Accordingly, the slow-to-release relayl 26 is energized from the source 6 overY a circuit which includes the resistor 4 and the space current path of the tube I. In operating, the relay 26 closes its contacts 26 to complete the prepared operating circuit for the contactor 22 in the manner explained hereinafter. At its contacts' 2Gb, the relay 26 opens the locking circuit ior the relay 29, causing the latter relay to restore. At its contacts 26a, the relay 26 shortcircuits the source 6 in series with the resistor 4, thereby to bring the anode and cathode of the tube I to .the same potential for the purpose of extinguishing the space current ilow therebetween. In this connection it will be understood that the tube is of the typewhich is grid controlled for starting purposes only, i. e., after a discharge therethrough is established the grid loses control. 'I'he relay 29, in releasing, opens its contacts 29h further to interrupt its locking circuit. At its contacts 29a the relay 29 opens the input or ring circuit of the tube This circuit may or may not have been previously opened at the contact springs 21a by the cam 28, depending upon the speed at which the machine isoperating. In any event, this circuit cannot be recompleted until the cam 28 is driven through another revolution. y

As indicated above, when the relay 26 operates, the contacts 28a thereof are closed to extlnguish the space current Ilow through the .tube l," and thus restore the control of the space curr'ent flow to the negatively biased control grid of the tube. The charged condenser-6 now discharges through the winding of .the relay 26 to retain this relay operated for the required Welding interval. At the end of this interval, the relay 26 releases to open its contacts 26 and thus interrupt .the welding circuit in the manner explained below. At its contacts 26a, the relay 26 opens the short-circuit across the series-connected source 6 and resistor 4. At its contacts 26h, the relay 28 reprepares .the locking circuit for the relay 29. Asthe cam 28 continuesto rotate, the cycle oi operations just described is repeated during each revolution thereof.

From the above explanation it will be understood that .the cams 28 and 18 are operated at the same speed and that the cam 28 is angularly disposed to close the contacts 21a at exactly the same point in each revolution ci. the cam 'I8. l.. will also be understood that the period during which the relay 26 is operated during each revolution of -the cam 28 is entirely independent oi the speed at which the machine is operated. Thus if the cam 28 is rotated to close the contact springs 21a and stops in this position, the relay 26 will be operated for exactly the same interval as when the cam 28 is being driven at maximum speed. Moreover, by adjusting the capacitance value of .the condenser 6this interval'may be changed as desired. If desired, the relay 26 may be of the adjustable dashpot type in order to provide the necessary welding interval.

Assuming that the parts of the tipping machine I0 occupy the positions illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings at the time the operation of the machine is initiated, the cam roller traverses the surface of the operating sector b-e of the cam, which sector is of decreasing radius. During such relative movement between the cam 18 and the roller 85, the carriage 64 is, by the gravitational force exerted thereon, moved from its loading position as illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings, to its tipping position as illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings. This downward movement of the carriage 64 and the head 66 carried thereby serves to rotate .the lever I9 in a clockwise direction through the meshing engagement of the gear sector 86 with the `rack 16. The extent to which the lever 18 is rocked in a clockwise direction is, of course, limited by the engagement of the roller 86 with the surface of the cam sector b-e. As the initial downward movement oi the carriage proceeds, the elastic band I I3, acting in conjunction with the gravitational pull exerted on the eccentrically mounted head 66, serves to rotate the head and the nib holder I2 in a clockwise direction relative to the carriage 64. During this rotation and translation of the head 66 and the nib holder I2, the roller 92 carried by the arm 8| engages the bearing plate 91 but the spring IOI is of suiilcient stiiness to maintain the stop assembly in the illustrated lowered position. It will be noted that the lower end of the nib holder I2 is caused to follow a curvilinear path so long as the roller 82 carried by the arm 8| engages the bearing plate 81. During continued downward movement of the carriage 64 the lower end of the barrel 66 thereof engages the stop screw |04 to prevent further rotation of .the head 66 relative to the carriage member 68. It will be noted that the primary section b-a o! the cam operating or lowering sector b-e is of slowly decreasing radius. Accordingly, the initial downward movement of the carriage 64 is relatively slow and the head 56 is rotated into engagement with the stop screw |04 at a slow speed which prevents the head from bouncing or oscillating during continued downward movement thereof. The continued downward movement of the car-y riage occurs while .the surface of the cam sector a-e is traversing the roller 85. After the head 6 and the stop screw |04 are brought into engagernent, the lower end of the nib holder I2 is moved in an exact straight line until the tip ping position thereof is reached. In this regard it will be understood that by adjusting the stop screw |04 the nib holder I2 may accurately be positioned to bring the point of a nib carried thereby squarely into engagement with a `tip held l in the receiving pocket 53 of the tip holder II. It will also be noted that after the stop screw |04 is engaged by the barrel B5 of the head 56, and during continued downward movement of the carriage 6d, the roller 92 is moved away from the bearing plate S'l.

When the cam 78 is rotated so that the point e along the surface thereof engages the roller B5, the nib holder I2 occupies its tipping position. In this regard it is pointed out that during the nnal downward movement of the carriage 68 the point of the nib held between the jaws of the nib holder I2 engages the tip deposited in the receiving pocket 53 of the tip holder II. Thereafter, and as the head 65 continues to move downwardly, the nib base is thrust upward within the jaws of the holder I2 thereof until the nib base is properly positioned in the nib shoe |24, at which time the upper edge of the nib base may engage the V-shaped lower edge of the ejecting finger |25. During further downward movement of the head 66, the holder assembly comprising the two jaws |22 and |23 is held stationary with the end of the nib base engaging the tip and the sleeve I2I is telescoped downward over the jaws |22 and |23 against the force exerted thereon by the elastic band II3, whereby the end of the.

stop screw il'i' is disengaged from the upper surface of the head 66. Also incident to the nal downward movement of the carriage 64, the end of the micrometer screw I9 engages the operating plunger 24a of the switch 24 so that the contacts 23 thereof are moved into engagement. Thereafter the end of the stop screw engages the upper surface of the frame member 43 to arrest the downward movement of the carriage 64.

Following the operations just described, and during the movement of the cam wherein the surface of the tipping sector e-d thereof, of constant radius, engages the roller 85, no further movement of the carriage 64 occurs. The period required for such movement of the cam I8 measures a time interval during which the tip deposited in the receiving pocket 53 of the tip holder I I is welded to the nib engaged thereby and held between the jaws of the nib holder I2. Immediately after the contact springs 23 of the switch 24 are moved into engagement to prepare the circuit for energizing the operating winding of the contactor 22 is completed, this circuit is completed at the contacts 25 of the relay 26 in the manner explained above. When thus energized, the contactor 22 closes its contacts 2| to complete a circuit for passing current through the engaged tip and nib held by the tip and nib holders II and I2, respectively. This welding circuit extends from the lower terminal of the direct current generator 2|) by way of the head i8, the mercury column in the cup I09,'the pin IDI, the collar |08, the Jaws |22 and |22 of the nib holder, the nib held between the jaws of the nib holder, the tip disposed in the receiving pocket 53 of the tip holder, the frame of the machine I0, and the contacts 2| to the upper terminal of the generator 20. The current traversing this circuit causes the engaged tip and nib to be fused at the points of contact therebetween. Incident to the formation of this fused connection, the contacting zones of the engaged tip and nib are momentarily heated to a tem perature exceeding the melting points thereof and hence assume a fluid state. When the restraining forces exerted on the nib holder assembly is thus removed, the elastic band I I3, coacting with the gravitational force exerted on the nib holder assembly, pulls this assembly downward until the lower end of the stop screw |01 engages the upper surface of the head 6B. The extent of this movement is exceedingly small and the movement is only permitted to ensure a perfect bond between the engaged tip and nib.

At the end of the welding interval, as measured by the release period of the relay 26, this relay restores and opens its contacts 25 to interrupt the circuit for energizing the operating Winding of the contactor 22. The contacter 22 now releases and opens its contacts 2| to interrupt the above-traced welding circuit, whereby the ow of current through the engaged nib and tip is arrested. In this regard it is pointed out i and 30, that the contacts 21a are moved into engagement to cause the operation of the relay 26 immediately after the switch 24 is operated by the screw I I9 to close the contacts 23. Hence the welding period is in each instance determined by the release period of the slow-torelease relay 26, and this is true regardless of the speed at which the apparatus is operated.

Shortly after the welding circuit is opened by the contactor 22 in the manner explained above, and during continued rotation of the cam 1I, the roller 35 engages the surface of the retracting sector d-c of the cam. This surface is of rapidly increasing radius and, accordingly, the lever 19 is rocked in a counterclockwise direction to raise the carriage 64. During the initial upward movement of the carriage 64 to move the tipped nib out of engagement with the tip holder II, the head 66 retains its lowered position. As the cam I8 continues to rotate, the carriage 64 is elevated to a position such that the roller I2 engages the bearing plate 91 of the stop assembly 93. During the continued upward movement of the carriage 64, vertical movement of the roller 92 is arrested so that the head S6 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction relative to the carriage member 68. Thus, during the final portion of the period when the surface of the cam sector d-c traverses the roller 85 the head 66 is rocked to bring the nib holder I2 back to its loading position. Incident to the final movement of the head 66 the operating end of the movable jaw |23 engages the end of the stop screw I I2 to eject the nib held between the jaws of the holder |2 in the manner explained immediately below. As the cam 18 continues to rotate, the surface of the loading sector c-b thereof, which is of constant radius, traverses the cam roller 85. During such rotation of the'cam the carriage remains in its raised position and the nib holder I2 is held in its loading position. It will be noted that strain on any part of the machine.

asoaesa the extent of the sector c-b of the cam 'Il determines the period during which the nib holder i2 is held in its loading position. Consequently, this sector is made of suflficient size that, when the machine is operated at its maximum speed.

'the holder I2 is retained in its loading position for an adequate time interval to permit easy insertion of a pen nib between the jaws thereof. From this point on the operations just described are cyclically repeated during each revolution of the cam 18.

From the above explanation it will be understood that during the initial movement of the carriage 64 to lower the nib holder |2 from its` tipping position to its.loading position, the shock of the engagement of the head 68 with the stationary parts of the frame 4| is minimized through the action of the cam 18 to lower the carriage 64 at a slow speed, thereby to prevent any tendency of the head 63 to bounce or oscil late as the tip holder I2 is moved into its tipping position. It will further be apparent that by suitable adjustment of the micrometer screws |01 and |20 the downward movement 'of the carriage 64 may be accurately adjusted so that the movement of the nib holder |2 which occurs after the welding operation is started is limited to a fixed predetermined value which may be varied for nibs and tips of different sizes. Moreover, the provision of the adjustable stop screw |I2 enables the movement of the jaw |23, which occurs incident to the final retracting movement of the holder I2, accurately to be adjusted.

As indicated in the above description, the movable parts of the cushioned stop assembly 93 are normally maintained in the illustrated lowered positions thereof during the operation of the machine. If, however, the head 63 and the carriage member 68 should inadvertently be locked against relative movement, or the movement of the head toward its loading position should accidentally be blocked, the movable elements 96, 91. 98, |02 and |03 of this assembly are moved upward with the carriage 64 as the carriage is elevated to its raised position. Careless handling of the machine may cause the movement of the head 66 to be blocked in the manner just referred to. Thus, the nib holder assembly comprising the two jaws |22 and |23 may inadvertently be telescoped upward through the sleeve |2| to bring the pivot point |30 opposite the end of the stop screw ||2 during final movement of the head 66 toward its loading position. Should this occur, the rotation of the head 66 relative to the carriage member 63 is blocked by the screw ||2 before completion and with the free end of the arm 9| in a slightly elevated position, In such case, however, the travel permitted between the moving parts of the cushioned stop assembly 93 and the frame of the machine, permits the upward movement of the carriage 64 to be completed without exerting any excessive Thus, the cushioned stop assembly acts to safeguard the machine against breakage or bending of the parts occasioned by careless handling.

Referring now more specifically to the manner in which the nib holder I2 is loaded and the nibs inserted therein are automaticallyejected, it will be noted that when the holder occupies' its loadn ing position, as illustrated in Fig. 8 of the drawings, the nib ejecting finger |25 occupies its downward or ejecting position and the jaws |22 and |23 are open. With the nib holder in this position the triangular-shaped base of a nib9 may y holder I I.

be inserted between the jaws in the channel |33 of the nib shoe |24 until the upper edge thereof engages the V-shaped edge of the finger |23. The nib is held between the angularly extending sides of the nib shoe by the lmachine operator until the jaws |22 and |23 are closed to grip the nib, at which time the nib may be released by the machine operator. With the nib inserted in the nib shoe, the movable jaw |23 is operated to clamp the nib 9 against the jaw |22 during the initial movement of the holder I2 away from its loading position. Thus, during the initial downward movement of the carriage 64, the head 66 is tilted inward in the manner explained above,

so that the end of the stop screw |2 is gradually disengaged from the operating end of the movable jaw |23. As this occurs, the spring |26 operates to close the jaw |23 until the nib 9 is firmly gripped between this jaw and the stationary jaw |22. During this relative movement between the jaws |22 and |23 the roller |33 coacts with the upper camming surface of the slot |32 to translate the electing finger |25 upwardly so that the lower V-shaped edge thereof is moved out of engagement with the upper edge of the base of the nib 3. The parts of the nib holder I2 remain in this position until the nib holder I2 approaches its tipping position to bring the point of the nib 9 into engagement with the tip pellet disposed in the receiving pocket 53 of the tip When this occurs, the movement of the nib 9 is stopped but the weight of the nib holder assembly causes the downward movement of this assembly to continue so that the nib 9 is forced upward in the channel |35 of the nib shoe |24 in the manner explained above. The parts of the nib holder and the nib 9 remain in this position until the nib holder is again retracted to its loading position. During the final portion of the retracting movement, the operating end oi the movable jaw |23 is again moved into engagement with the end of the stop screw I I2 so that this jaw is rocked about its pivot pin |30 against the bias of the spring |23 to open the two jaws and thus release the nib 9 from the gripping force exerted by the jaws. Incident to this relative movement between the two jaws, the cam roller |33, operating in conjunction with the lower surface of the inclined slot |32, forces the ejecting finger |25 downward. Since the lower V-shaped edge of this finger is at this time in engagement with the upper base edge of the nib 9 the nib is forcibly ejected from the channel |35 of the nib shoe |24 and is expelled into the nib receiving drawer 40 of the machine. Thus it will be seen that the only operation required on the part of the operator is that of feeding nibs to the nib holder I2, such nibs being automatically ejected from the holder after the tipping operation is completed.

In adapting the machine I0 for use in tipping pen nibs of different sizes, the only required changes in the machine are the substitution of ejecting fingers |25 and nib shoes |24 of different sizes. 'I'hese elements are made up in sets, the sizes thereof varying in cprtain dimensions according to the size of the nibs with which they are to be used. Thus, for a large nib having a relatively wide base portion and of relatively long length, the nib shoe I 24 used for receiving the nib is provided with a relatively wide nib receiving channel |35, and the length of the cut-out portion |36 of the ejecting finger |25 is proportioned to accommodate the length of the nib. For a short nib, on the other hand, the shoe |24 8 asoaess provided to receive the nib base is provided with a nib receiving channel i35 of correspondingly smaller dimensions and the length of the cut-out portion |35 of the electing linger |25 is correspondingly reduced to accommodate the decreased length of the nib. The different ejecting linger and nib shoe sets are changed by withdrawing the nib holder assembly from the sleeve lli and knocking out the pivot pin to remove the jaw |23. After this is done, the substitution may readily be eiected, after which the assembly is rebuilt and again inserted in the sleeve |2I. From the above explanation, it will be apparent that by using nib shoes and ejecting fingers in sets the nib holder I2 may be altered at will to receive nibs and accommodate nibs of different sizes. In order to adjust the weight of the nib holder assembly, as supplemented by the action of the elastic band H3, to the tipping of nibs of different sizes, the pocket 122e may be loaded with shot to provide the required compressive force on a tip engaged by the point of a nib held between the jaws of the nib holder I2.

It is pointed out above that the tip pellets are automatically fed to the tip receiving pocket 53 of the tip holder I I from the hopper 55 in timed relationship with the movement of the nib holder i 2. In this regard it will be noted that during the portion of each revolution of the cam 1l when the surface of the operating sector b-e of the cam traverses the roller to permit the lever 'i8 to be rocked in a clockwise direction, the connection 81 pulls the operatingplunger 58 of the tip feeding device to the left, so that the slide 51 is withdrawn from the tip discharge position illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings. The extent of this movement is such that the conveying pocket 5l of the slide 51 is moved into registry with the discharge opening 55 of the hopper 55 coincident with the movement of the cam 18 to bring the surface point e thereof into engagement with the cam roller 85. Thus, the conveying pocket 5i is loaded with a pellet through the opening 56 in the base of the hopper 55 during the portion of the cam movement when the surface of the sector e-d engages the roller 85. During continued movement of the cam 15, and While the surface of the retracting sector d-c of the cam engages the roller 85, the lever 19 is rocked in a counterclockwise direction to move the nib holder i2 from its tipping position to its loading position, in the manner explained above. Incident to this movement, the lever 18, acting through the connection 81, operates the plunger 58 and connected slide 51 to the right, so that the discharge opening 58 of the hopper 55 is closed. The pellet disposed in the conveying pocket 5| of the slide 51 is slid over the upper surface of the base 41 until it is brought into registry with the tip receiving pocket 53 of the anvil 48. This occurs slightly before the surface point c of the cam 18 is moved to engage the roller 85, i. e., shortly before the nib holder i 2 is moved to its loading position. When these two pockets are brought into registry the pellet disposed in the conveying pocket 6I is discharged by gravity into the pocket 53 of the anvil 48. In this regard it is pointed out that the size of the anvil pocket 53 is preferably such that it will not accommodate more than one tip pellet. Accordingly, if the pocket 53 is already loaded, the pellet held in the conveying pocket 6l is retained therein during continued operation of the machine until the deposited pellet is used in tipping a nib. During continued rotation o! the cam 18 pellets are automatically fed one by one to the receiving pocket 5I of the anvil 43, in a manner clearly apparent from the above explanation. From this explanation it will be noted that the movement of the slide 51 is synchronized with the movement of the nib holder I2 so that the receiving pocket 53 is loaded while the nib holder I2 occupies its loading position, and the end of the slide 51 is retracted from its tip loading position as the nib holder l2 is brought downward into its tipping position. Moreover, this synchronous relationship between the movement of the nib holder l2 and the loading slide 51 is not disturbed by changes in the operating speed of the machine, as will be apparent from a consideration of the mechanical linkagesutilized to correlate the movements of the two elements.

The purpose of providing the yielding connection l1 between the lever 15 and the plunger 58 is substantially apparent from the above explanation. In this regard it will be understood that if the slide 51 should be locked against movement relative to the base member l1, or the movement of the slide toward its discharge position should partially be blocked, the part 81a ia telescoped over the part 81h of the connection 81 against the action of the spring 81c to permit the continued rotation of the cam 18. In other words, the motion of the arm 18 which cannot be used in moving the slide 51 is taken up in the yielding connection 81 without unduly straining the parts of the machine. The pellet feeding device and the other parts of the machine are thus further safeguarded against breakage.

As will appear from the preceding description,

the operation of the various parts of the apparar tus, including the control relays of the circuit equipment, are so correlated that the tipping of nibs may be accomplished at different speeds Without disturbing rthe synchronous relationship between the various parts of the apparatus. In this connection it is also indicated above that the cycle counter 3l may be used in lieu of the sloW-to-release relay 25 `and the cam controlled interrupter springs 21, for the purpose of controlling the contactor 22 to close and open the welding circuit. This cycle counter is provided with a. control relay, not shown, having contacts which connect the conductors 32 and 33 together at spaced intervals, and for periods of uniform duration. Preferably, the counter is of the type which counts a predetermined number of cycles of the alternating voltage impressed upon the input terminals thereof to measure a spacing interval; energizes the control relay to connect the two conductors 32 and 33 together; counts an additional predetermined number of cycles to measure a welding interval; and deenergizes the control relay to disconnect the two conductors 32 and 33 from each other. This operating cycle is continuously repeated under the control of the thyratron tubes conventionally embodied in the counter. Provisions are made for manually controlling the circuit constants of the counter, so that the spacing periods during which the control relay of the counter is restored, as well as the extent of each welding period when the control relay is operated, may be varied at will. Provisions are also made whereby the entire cycle pattern followed by the control relay may be shifted along a time axis through manual adjustment of the circuit constants of the counter. This latter adjustment permits the relay operations to be synchronized with the movement of the head 55 to close the contacts 23 of the switch 24. By virtue of this arrangement, the contacter 22 may be made to operate immediately after the nib holder I2 is operated to its tipping position, and the extent of the welding period may be ilxed -at any desired value which is independent of movement of the nib holder I2. It will be understood from the above explanation that when the cycle counter 3| is used, certain manual adjustments are required in order to synchronize the operation of the contactor 22 with the movement of the nib holder l2, each time the operating speed of the tipping machine i is changed. This may readily be accomplished by observing the operation of the machine. v

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that various modiiications may be made therein, and it is contemplated to cover in the appended claims all such modiilcations as iall within the -true spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a machine. for welding metal tips on metal bases. a tip holder. a movable base holder having a loading position and a tipping position wherein a base held thereby engages a tip held in said tip holder, means for moving said base holder into and out of its tipping position along a straight line path. and means responsive to a predetermined movement of said i base holder away from its tipping position for tilting said base holder toward its loading position.

2. lIn a machine for welding metal tips on metal bases, a tip holder, a movable base holder having a loading position and a tipping position wherein a base held thereby engages a tip held in said tip holder, driving apparatus for automatically and continuously operating said base holder between its two positions, said driving apparatus including means for moving said base holder into and out of its tipping position along a straight line path, means responsive to a predetermined movement of said base holder away from its tipping position for -tilting said base holder toward its loading position, and means for automatically arresting the movement of said base holder for a measured time interval each time it is moved to one of its two positions,

3. In a machine for welding metal tips on metal bases, a tip holder, a movable base holder having a loading position and a tipping position wherein a base held thereby engages a tip held by said tip holder, the loading position of said base holder being laterally displaced with respect to the tipping position thereof, means for reciprocating said base holder between its two laterally displaced positions, and means for guiding said base holder so that it moves into its tipping position along a straight line path.

4. In a machine for welding metal tips on metal bases. a tip holder, a movable base holder having a loading position and a tipping position wherein a base held thereby engages a tip held by said tip holder, means for automatically reciprocating said base holder between it-s two positions, means for guiding said base holder 'so that it moves along a curvilinear path which merges into a straight line path as said base holder approaches its tipping position, and means for automatically arresting the movement of said base holder for a short time interval each time it is moved to one ot its two positions.

5. In a machine for welding metal tips on metal bases, a tip holder, a movable base holder havinga loading position and a tipping position 9 wherein a base held thereby engages a tip held by said tip holder. a drive shaft, means including a driving connection between said shaft and said base holder for reciprocating. said base holder between its two positions. means for guiding said base holder so that it moves along a curvilinear path which merges into a straight line path as said base holder approaches its tipping position. and means included in said connection for arresting the movement of said base holder for a short time interval each time it is moved to one of its two positions.

6. In a machine for welding metal tips on metal bases, a tip holder, a movable base holder having a loading position and a tipping position wherein a base held thereby engages a tip held by said tip holder, a drive shaft, a driving connection between said shaft and said base holder, said connection comprising a cam having a loading sector, an operating sector, a tipping sector and a retracting sector, means including said loading sector for maintaining said base holder in its loading position for a predetermined time interval each time it is operated to its loading position, means including said operating sector for moving said base holder from its loading position to its tipping position. means including said tipping sector for maintaining said base holder in its tipping position for a predetermined time interval each time it is operated to its tipping position, and means including said retracting sector for moving said base holder from its tipping position back to its loading position.

7. In a machine for welding metal tips on metal bases, a tip holder, a movable base holder having a loading position and a tipping position wherein a base held thereby engages a tip held by said tip holder, a drive shaft, a driving connection between said shaft and said base holder. said connection comprising a cam having a loading sector, an operating sector a tipping sector and a retracting sector, means including said loading sector for maintaining said base holder in its loading position for a predetermined time interval each time it is operated to its loading position, means including said operating sector for moving said base holder from its loading position to its tipping position along a path which follows a straight line as said basey holder approaches its tipping position, means including said tipping sector for maintaining said base holder in its tipping position for a predetermined time interval each time it is operated to its tipping position, and means including said retracting sector for moving said base holder from its tipping position back to its loading position.

8. In a machine for welding metal tips on metal bases, a tip holder having a tip receiving pocket therein, a movable base holder having a loading position and a tipping position wherein a base held thereby engages a tip held by said tip holder, a drive shaft, a driving connection between said shaft and said base holder, said connection comprising a cam having a loading sector, an operating sector, a tipping sector and a retracting sector, means including said loading sector for maintaining said base holder in its loading position for a predetermined time interval each time it is operated to its loading position, means including said operating sector for moving said base holder from its loading position to its tipping position, means including said tipping sector for maintaining said base holder in its tipping position for a predetermined time .interval each time it is operated to its tipping position, means including said retraoting sector for moving said base holder from its tipping position back to its loading position, a hopper for receiving tipping material and provided with a discharge opening, a slide provided with a conveying pocket, means including said operating sector for operating said slide to bring the conveying pocket thereof into register with said discharge opening during movement of said nib holder toward its tipping position, and means including said retracting sector for operating said slide to bring the conveying pocket thereofl into register with the tip receiving pocket of said tip holder during movement of said nib holder from its tipping position to its loading position.

9. In a machine for welding metal `tips on metal bases, a tip holder, a movable base holder having a loading position and a tipping position wherein a base heid thereby engages a tip held by said tip holder, a drive shaft, a driving connection between said drive shaft and said base holder, said driving connection including a cam having a retracting sector and an operating sector which comprises a primary section and a secondary section, means including said retracting sector for moving said base holder from its tipping position to its loading position, means including the primary section of said operating sector for slowly moving said base holder in one direction from its loading position toward its tipping position, and means including the secondary section of said retractlng sector for rapidly continuing the movement oi' said base holder in said one direction toward its tipping position.

l@ in a machine for tipping metal bases with metal tips, a tip holder, a movable base holder including jaws for gripping a base inserted thereb tween and having a loadinf7 position and a tipig position wherein e, bese held thereby is posed to engage a tip held by said tip holder, ving means for moving said base holder from its tipping position and for tilting said base holder into its loading position, and means actuated by the tilting of said base holder into its loading position for automatically enecting disengagement oi said jaws to effect the release oi 'oase held therebetween.

li. In a machine for tipping metal bases with metal tips, a tip holder, a movable base holder including jaws for gripping a base inserted therebetween and having a loading position and a tipping position wherein a base held thereby is disposed to engage a tip held by said tip holder, driving means for moving said base holder away from its tipping position and for tilting said base holder into its loading position, and a stop posi tioned to engage one of said jaws and thus eiect disengagement of said jaws each time the base holder is tilted into its loading position.

12. In a machine for tipping metal bases with metal tips, a tip holder, a movable base holder including jaws biased to grip a base inserted therebetween and having a loading position and a tipping position wherein a base held thereby is disposed to engage a tip held by said tip holder, driving means for reciprocating said base holder between said positions and including an element for increasing the speed of said base holder each time it approaches its tipping position, and a stop positioned to engage one of said jaws and thus effect disengagement of said jaws each time said base holder approaches its loading position.

13. In a machine for tipping metal bases with metal tips, a tip holder, a carriage having a base holder pivotally mounted thereon, driving means for reciprocating said carriage between two positions. means for rotating said base holder be tween a loading position and a position wherein a base held thereby is disposed to engage a tip held by said tip holder as said carriage is moved between its two positions, said base holder including jaws biased to grip a base inserted therebetween, and a stop carried by said carriage and positioned to engage one of said jaws, thereby to effect disengagement of said jaws, each time said base holder is moved to its loading position.

14. In a machine for tipping metal bases with metal tips, a tip holder, a frame having oppositely disposed guideways provided therein, a carriage including guides slidably disposed in said guideways to permit reciprocating movement'thereof between two positions, driving means for reciprocating said carriage between its two positions, a cushioned stop carried by said i'rame, a base holder pivotally mounted on said carriage and having a loading position and a position wherein a base held thereby is disposed to engage a tip held by said tip holder, means including an arm carried by said base holder and coacting with said cushioned stop for rotating said base holder between its two positions as said carriage is reciprocated between its two positions, said base holder including jaws biased to grip a base inserted therebetween, and a stop carried by said carriage and positioned to engageone oi said jaws, thereby to effect disengagement of said jaws, each time said base holder is :noved to its loading position.

15. In a machine for tipping pen nibs, a nib holder comprising a pair o: relatively movable jaws, said holderhaving a loading position and a tip ing position, means for moving said holder between said positions, means biasing said jaws to grip a nib inserted therebetween, a stop positioned to engage one of said jaws and thereby on said jaws each time said holder is moved from its tipping position to its loading position, a nib ejecting finger disposed between said jaws to engage a nib inserted therebetween, and means comprising a camming connection between said finger and said one jaw for operating said finger to eject a nib engaged thereby in response to the opening of said jaws.

16. In a machine for tipping pen nibs, a nib holder comprising a pair of relatively movable jaws, said holder having a loading position and a tipping position, means for moving said holder between said positions, means biasing said jaws to grip a nib inserted therebetween, an element supported by one of said jaws and provided with a channel for receiving and holding a. nib inserted therein, a stop positioned to engage the other of said jaws and thereby open said jaws each time said holder is moved from its tipping position to its loading position, and means operative in response to the opening of said jaws for automatically ejecting a nib held by said element.

17 A pen nib holder comprising a pair of relatively movable jaws, means biasing said jaws to grip a nib inserted therebetween, a nib shoe disposed between said jaws and provided with a nib receiving channel shaped to conform to the configuration of the base of a pen nib, a nib ejecting ilnger disposed between said jaws to engage a nib held in the receiving channel of said shoe, and means comprising a camming connection between one of said jaws and said iinger for operating said finger to eject a nib held in the receiving channel of said shoe in response to the opening oi' said jaws.

asoaess 18. A pen nib holder comprising a pair of relatively movable jaws, means biasing said jaws to grip a nib inserted therebetween, a nib shoe disposed between said jaws and provided with a nib receiving channel shaped to conform to the connguration of the base of a pen nib, a nib electing nnger disposed between said jaws to engage a nib held in the receiving channel of said shoe, means for opening said jaws, and means operative in response to the opening of said jaws for operating said ilnger to eject a nib held in the receiving channel of said shoe.

19. A pen nib holder comprising a pair oi.'E

ment thereof between two positions, drivingl means for reciprocating said carriage between its two positions, a cushioned stop carried by said frame, a base holder pivotally mounted on said carriage and having a loading position and a position wherein a base held thereby is disposed to engage a tip held'by said tip holder, and means including an arm carried by said base holder and coacting with said cushioned stop ior rotating said base holder between its two positions as said carriage is reciprocated between its two positions.

21. In a machine for tipping metal bases with metal tips, a tip holder, a carriage, a holding head pivotally mounted on said carriage, a base holder slidably carried by said head, driving means for reciprocating said carriage between two positions, means coacting with said head to rotate said head and base holder between a loading position and a tipping position wherein a base held by said base holder is disposedto engage a tip held by said tip holder as said carriage is moved between its two positions, and an adjustable stop for limiting the relative movement between said base holder and said head when said tipping position is assumed thereby.`

22. In a machine for tipping metal bases with metal tips, a tip holder, a frame having oppositely disposed guideways provided therein, a carriage including guides slidably disposed in said guideways to permit reciprocating movement thereof between two positions, driving means for reciprocating said carriage between its two positions, a base holder pivotally mounted on said carriage and having a loading position and a position wherein a base held thereby is disposed to engage a tip held by said tip holder, and means for tilting said base holder between its two positions as said carriage is reciprocated between its two positions.

23. In a machine for tipping metal bases with metal tips, a tip holder, a frame having oppositely disposed guideways provided therein, a carriage including guides slidably disposed in said guideways to permit reciprocating movement thereof between two positions, driving means for reciprocating said carriage between its two positions, a base holder pivotally mounted on said carriage and having a loading position and s. position wherein a base held thereby is disposed to engage a tip held by said tip holder, means for tilting said base holder between its two positions as said carriage is reciprocated between its twogpositions, and means responsive to the tilting of said base holder into its loading position for actuating said base holder to eject a base held thereby.

24. In a machine for tipping metal bases with metal tips, a tip holder, a movable base holder having a tipping position and comprising a barrel and a base holding assembly slidably disposed in said barrel, and means for moving said base holder into and out of its tipping position along a path which substantially coincides with the longitudinal axis of said barrel.

25. In a machine for tipping metal bases with metal tips, a tip holder, a movable base holder having a tipping position and a loading position, said base holder comprising a barrel and a base holding assembly slidably disposed in said barrel, means for moving said base holder into and out of its tipping position along a path which substantially coincideswith the longitudinal axis of saidv barrel. andmeans for tilting said base holder to move said base holding assembly away from said path as said base holder is moved into its loading position.

26. In a machine for tipping metal bases with metal tips, a tip holder, a movable base holder having a tipping position and a loading position, said base holder comprising a barrel and a base holding assembly slidably disposed in said barrel, means for moving said base holder into and out ot its tipping position along a path which substantially coincides with the longitudinal axis of said barrel, means for tilting said base holder to move said base holding assembly away from said path as said base holder` is moved into its loading position, and means responsive to the tilting of said base holder into its loading position for actuating said base holding assembly to eject a base held thereby.

27. In a machine for tipping metal bases with metal tips, a tip holder, a frame having oppositely disposed guideways provided therein, a carriage including guides slidably disposed in said guideways to permit reciprocating movement thereof between two positions, driving means for reciprocating said carriage between its two positions, a base holder pivotally mounted on said carriage and having a loading position and a position wherein a base held thereby is disposed to engage a tip held by said tip holder, said base holder comprising a barrel and a base holding assembly slidably disposed in said barrel, means for moving said base holder into and out of its tipping position along a path which substantially coincides with the longitudinal axis of said barrel as said carriage is moved to one of its two positions, and means for tilting said base holder away vfrom said path as said carriage is moved to the other of its two positions.

28. In a machine for tipping metal bases with holder comprising a barrel and a base holding assembly slidably disposed in said barrel, means for moving said base holder into and out of its tipping position along a path which substantially coincides with the longitudinal axis of said barrel as said carriage is moved to one oi its two positions, means for tilting said base holder away from said path as said carriage is moved to the other of its two positions, and means responsive to the tilting of said base holder away from said path for actuating said base holding assembly to elect a base held thereby.

29. In a machine for welding metal tips on metal bases, a movable base holder having a tipping position and comprising a barrel and a base holding assembly slidably supported in said barrel, and means for moving said base holder into and out of its tipping position along a substantially vertical path which substantially coincides with the longitudinal axis of said barrel, said assembly being free to slide in said barrel following the engagement of a base held thereby with a tip held by said tip holder, whereby the weight of said assembly provides the required contact pressure between the engaged base and tip during welding, said assembly also having a weight repcchet provided therein so that the weight eos? may be changed to conform to the differ ent contact pressure requirements of bases and qwerent sizes. .n e. machine for welding metal tips on metal bases, a stationary tip holder, a movable older having a loading position and a tipsaid tip holder, means for movrnovement of said base s lng position for tiitog into and out of its tipping s ascenso said base holder toward its loading position, and means responsive to the operation of said base holder into its loading position for automatically operating said base holder to elect a base held thereby.

31. A pen nib holder comprising a member provided with a ilrst Jaw, a second jaw pivotally mounted on said member, means biasing said jaws to grip a nib inserted therebetween, a nib shoe disposed between said jaws and provided with a nib receiving channel shaped to conform to the configuration of the base of a pen nib, a nib electing finger slidably supported between said jaws to engage a nib held in the receiving channel of said shoe, and means responsive to pivotal movement of said second finger to release a nib inserted in said receiving channel for sliding said finger to eject the nib from said channel.

32. A pen nib holder comprising a member provided with a rst jaw, a second jaw pivotally mounted on said member, means biasing said jaws to grip a nib inserted therebetween, a nib shoe disposed between said jaws and provided with a nib receiving channel shaped to conform to the configuration of the base of a pen nib, a nib electing linger slidably supported between said jaws to engage a nib held in the receiving channel of said shoe, said second jaw being provided with a tall portion having a slot therein, and said electing finger being provided with a tail portion projecting into said slot and having a camming slot therein, and means comprising a roller mounted in said mst-named slot and coacting with the camming surfaces provided by said camming slot for sliding said finger to eject a nib insertedrin said channel when said second is rotated to release the nib.

OTTO JEFIfIDRE-SEN. 

